Perinatal and neonatal predictors of developmental coordination disorder in very low birthweight children.

Objective: To identify perinatal and neonatal risk factors associated with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in very low birthweight children (VLBW: <1250 g).

Design: Retrospective design with prospectively collected cohort.

Setting: Neonatal Follow-Up Program, Vancouver, Canada.

Maternal stress and behavior modulate relationships between neonatal stress, attention, and basal cortisol at 8 months in preterm infants.

There is evidence that the developmental trajectory of cortisol secretion in preterm infants is altered, with elevated basal cortisol levels observed postnatally through at least 18 months corrected age (CA). This alteration is possibly due to neonatal pain-related stress. High cortisol levels might contribute to greater risk of impaired neurodevelopment.